{"id":2211113,"date":"2024-04-02T04:14:02","date_gmt":"2024-04-02T08:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-voters-to-decide-on-private-funding-of-elections\/"},"modified":"2024-04-02T04:14:24","modified_gmt":"2024-04-02T08:14:24","slug":"wisconsin-voters-to-decide-on-private-funding-of-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wisconsin-voters-to-decide-on-private-funding-of-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Wisconsin residents to vote on private funding for elections"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwisconsin-voters-to-decide-on-private-funding-of-elections%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2211113&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Wisconsin \u200dvoters are set\u2063 to decide on a pair \u2063of impactful referendums that could shape future elections in the politically competitive state. One referendum \u200cseeks to prohibit \u2063private funding \u2064in elections, while\u200c the other\u2064 mandates election officials&#8217; exclusive\u2064 involvement in election \u200btasks. The outcomes may significantly influence the state&#8217;s electoral\u200c landscape, with contrasting \u2064views from Republicans and \u2062Democrats \u2062amplifying the stakes.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/wisconsin\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Wisconsin\">Wisconsin<\/a> voters will decide Tuesday on a <a href=\"https:\/\/ballotpedia.org\/Wisconsin_Question_1,_Ban_on_Private_and_Non-Governmental_Funding_of_Election_Administration_Amendment_(April_2024)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Wisconsin\">pair of referendums<\/a> that could change how <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"elections\">elections<\/a> are conducted for decades to come in one of the country\u2019s most politically competitive states.<\/p>\n<p>One would\u00a0bar state and local governments from using private funds to conduct elections, while the other one mandates that only election officials can carry out election-related tasks. <\/p>\n<figure><figcaption>Former President Donald Trump speaks at a rally on Aug. 5, 2022, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. (AP Photo\/Morry Gash, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Broadly speaking,\u00a0Republicans and conservative groups are urging voters to say \u201cyes\u201d to both, while Democrats are a hard \u201cno.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Democrats in the battleground state have spent the past decade being boxed\u00a0out of power by the GOP, which held an iron grip on the state government. Republicans have held control of both houses of the state legislature for years, in part because of the district lines they drew in 2011.<\/p>\n<p>The tide started turning following the fall of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/roe-v-wade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Roe v. Wade\">Roe v. Wade<\/a><\/em>,\u00a0which made abortion illegal overnight. That jump-started a fierce battle for a vacancy on the state Supreme Court, which turned into the most expensive state Supreme Court race in history, with an estimated $45 million pumped into it from special interest groups, including liberal megadonor <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/george-soros\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"George Soros\">George Soros<\/a> and Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, one of America\u2019s wealthiest families who have two of the deepest pockets in conservative politics. <\/p>\n<p>The pair of proposals on Tuesday\u2019s primary ballot are rooted in the scrutiny over millions of dollars in private grants, which Republicans refer to as \u201cZuckerbucks,\u201d that went to the state\u2019s five largest cities to help them run elections during the pandemic. The money came from\u00a0the Center for Tech and Civic Life, which is funded by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan. <\/p>\n<p>Election clerks who got the money said it helped them meet the unexpected costs related to running an election during a pandemic and that the money did not jeopardize their ability to run an election fairly. <\/p>\n<p>The questions on the April 2 ballot are two of five that will go before voters this\u00a0year, the most in one year since 1982. <\/p>\n<p>Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of the questions that will be decided on Tuesday. <\/p>\n<h2>Ballot Question 1<\/h2>\n<p>One question is: \u201cUse of private funds in election administration. Shall section 7 (1) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that private donations and grants may not be applied for, accepted, expended, or used in connection with the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A \u201cyes\u201d vote would mean election administrators could not apply for, receive, or use private donations or grants for elections, while a \u201cno\u201d vote would mean funds would continue to be legal.<\/p>\n<p>Supporters argued that allowing outside money can \u201ccreate undue influence on elections and the work of election officials,\u201d as well as foster distrust in elections, Emily Lau, an attorney with the University of Wisconsin-Madison\u2019s State Democracy Research Initiative, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wpr.org\/news\/private-funds-elections-what-voters-need-know-april-2-referendums\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"told\">told<\/a> Wisconsin Public Radio. <\/p>\n<p>Those supporting the measure include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jim-jordan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"U.S.\u00a0Rep Jim Jordan\">Rep. Jim Jordan<\/a> (R-OH), who urged a \u201cyes\u201d vote via video, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"former President Donald Trump\">former President Donald Trump<\/a>, who took to social media to urge Wisconsinites to vote to \u201cban Zuckerbucks.\u201d Some Trump supporters argued that the funds were used to hijack the election by promoting turnout in larger cities that had more Democratic voters. <\/p>\n<p>Despite a recount, Republican-led audits, and court cases showing he lost, Trump has continued to push the false narrative that he won the state four years ago. Trump will make a campaign stop in Green Bay on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>MacIver Impact, the 501(c)4 arm of the John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy, launched a digital advertising campaign on Instagram and Facebook in support of both ballot measures, urging voters to \u201ckeep Obama &#038; Soros out of Wisconsin elections\u201d and \u201cban Zuckerbucks.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>CEO Annette Olson said that \u201ccommonsense amendments would ban dark money from playing a role in administering elections, and MacIver Impact is proud to lead statewide efforts to encourage citizens to vote \u2018yes.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Those opposed to the measure argue election work is already underfunded and that stripping money without the guarantee of sufficient public funding could \u201cimpede\u00a0the work of election officials\u201d and just as easily sow distrust. <\/p>\n<p>The Democratic Party of Wisconsin\u00a0has\u00a0endorsed\u00a0a \u201cno\u201d vote. Party Chairman Ben Wikler has accused Republicans of pushing the amendment to \u201csatisfy Donald Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Wisconsin chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aclu-wi.org\/en\/news\/why-you-should-vote-no-referendum-questions-april-2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"spoken out\">spoken out<\/a> against the measure, claiming the language is too vague.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLocal municipalities run Wisconsin\u2019s local, state, and federal elections on shoestring budgets,\u201d it said. \u201cGrants banned by this proposal have provided a lifeline to help clerks pay for equipment, polling place rental, poll workers, and supplies to protect your right to vote and make elections run smoothly and securely.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign warned that if\u00a0outside funds are eliminated, it would \u201cbe a major blow to our democracy and will make voting harder in Wisconsin.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGrant funds from nongovernment agencies have helped folks at the local level run elections,\u201d Executive Director Nick Ramos <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisdc.org\/news\/commentary\/7579-vote-no\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"said\">said<\/a>. \u201cThe funds have helped fill gaps in recruiting poll workers to ensure election sites have satisfactory coverage, the funds have been used to acquire better voting equipment to streamline the voting process, and the funds have been used to pay for resources like postage and printing out ballots for voters.\u201d <\/p>\n<h2>Ballot Question 2<\/h2>\n<p>Another question is: \u201cElection officials. Shall section 7 (2) of article III of the constitution be created to provide that only election officials designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections, and referendums?\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Republicans\u00a0have\u00a0encouraged a \u201cyes\u201d vote, claiming it will clarify who is allowed to perform election-related tasks, and argued that the goal is to prohibit private consultants from having too much power over elections. <\/p>\n<p>There is already a law on the books stating only election officials can conduct elections in the state. Part of the problem with the GOP-backed proposal, Lau said, is that it could be interpreted so broadly that it may exclude election volunteers or municipal staff who are not sworn election officials. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur democracy depends on local election officials having the staff and resources to do their jobs,\u201d the ACLU said in its pitch to voters. \u201cThe same politicians who put these questions on the ballot stripped millions in funding from the state budget to support election administration.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If the proposal passes, a court would likely need to decide which activities and which types of workers are included and which are not. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Wisconsin voters face pivotal referendums Tuesday, impacting election procedures for years. One referendum aims to restrict private funding in elections, while the other mandates election officials&#8217; exclusive role in conducting elections. The outcomes could shape the state&#8217;s electoral landscape significantly, given its fierce political competitiveness<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2646,"featured_media":2211114,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24085545578518.jpeg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2211113","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/wex-s3.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24085545578518.jpeg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2211113","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2646"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2211113"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2211113\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2211114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2211113"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2211113"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2211113"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}